Due to a strenuous exercise I’ve taken up, I have got to quit smoking. But the catch is I’ve always done it alone and it never has been successful.
So, if anyone is quiting this year and would like to do a support thing, would you let me know. I would really like to beat this beast once and for all.
Thanks
Namaste
The danger in that is that if your partner fails. you will also.
That’s true. That’s also one of the bonuses of having a partner. When they fail, it makes your failures ok!
In the end it’s got to be a solo thing unless you are around your partner ALL the time. The Honour System is a toughie.
Solo quitting works fine if you’ve got a damn good reason to quit.
It can work better if you immediately take on a non-smoking identity. Instead of telling all your friends that you’re trying to quit and having them watch you agonising, just wake up tomorrow and don’t smoke. And when they ask or offer, you just have to be like, “Naw, I don’t smoke anymore.”
Nobody advocates methods like this because people like to agonise and Nicorette has to make money.
No the problem in quiting smoking in IMO, is that people who are non smokers like to almost taunt you for your effort. With sardonic comments. One shouldn’t let that deter them from their goal, but IMO society has little patience for those who have had to deal with addiction.
When I quit smoking I didn’t have any non smokers taunt me or anything of the like. Seemed to me they were all supportive.
Same here. Actually, I got no comments at all, which was really great. That was partly because I did not shout from the rooftops that I was quitting. I just went on as usual but without the cigarettes. There was nobody being annoying and asking, “So how’s the quitting going?” every day.
The only trace of negativity I got was from a girlfriend who seemed disappointed that we couldn’t smoke together anymore! She has since gotten over it.
I had tried a couple of times to quit when I was younger, but I think I couldn’t do it then because my reasons weren’t strong enough. Strong reasons make a real difference. For example, if you’ve just become a father or are newly pregnant, life suddenly is about more than just yourself. This will either be utterly depressing :snivel: and make you smoke more, or it’ll motivate you to change your habits 
.
Good reasons help a lot, whether they center around yourself, another person, or whatever. If the OP has them, she’s way ahead already.
I’ve quit for over a year now and I very rarely feel a desire to smoke… in fact I find smoke filled rooms (such as a club) almost unbearable now.
I think if you believe that it will be very difficult then that will become the reality for you. Really its just the first week that is tough and then perhaps the next month… after that it becomes much easier with the occasional strong desire (esp if u are stressed).
I would recommend not drinking and not going to pubs… that helps.
Other than that, all I can say is that some of the reasons its difficult to quit are
The thing is you have to really want it… its about willpower and willpower can beat anything. If you want do it the way I did… treat it a bit like a competition… in fact I truly believed (and stilll do) that if I don’t even have the willpower to quit smoking, I asked myself how is it that I can achieve the other things I want in my life?
So every time I felt like smoking I would tell myself… if I can’t even beat this urge then how is it that I’ll ever be able be able to succeed in business? Self control and willpower are our most powerful tools and most people (including myself) are far from mastering… but they are the difference between someone who lives a mediocre life and and an outstanding life.
I hope this post helps… its the key I used to solve this particular problem.
If your friends / loved ones smoke its going to be much harder to give up. Everyone has moments of weakness and if you smoke just one cigerette after quitting then often times it will lead to failure
This was key in my experience too. I quit for four years and that success gave me the false confidence that I could have an occasional smoke without resuming a habit. Wrong. Then I had to struggle through the whole quitting process again – thinking about quitting, working up the willpower, what a draining thing (though finally successful again). I remind myself of this whenever I’m tempted now. Try to make a clean break, and remember that it is a very subtle addiction, so you have to keep your guard up high all through the quitting process and afterwards. Good luck quitting, Namahottie.
Thanks for the posts. 3 days and i slipped 
I just had 1 1/2 and threw the rest away. It’s okay, because in the beginning of the year, I read this really good article from some scholar about resolutions so I just kept his observations in mind when I slipped.
But I realized for the first time about quiting. In order for me to quit, I have to be very mindful. Anyone familar with mindful meditation or whatever it is called would understand what I am talking about. I realize that it’s important to be very present to what triggers those urges when you want to smoke. And to be consistent in reminding yourself that it’s the trigger that can lead you to relapsing. It’s a battle this time because I much more serious about it.
I also have gained more respect and empathy for those who have had to quit more serious addictions. How they do/did it is beyond me. 
Actually I’m addicted to computer games now, and caffeine and sugar…and I probably drink too much… :help:
just think of the ass that you will kick when you finally quit!
You go, Namahottie!
I think cigs are harder, tougher and worse than the hardest drugs, if you want to quit.
But you can do it.
Make your decision, once and for all.
Lots of walking, cardio type evercise, etc.
Learn something new.
Drink lots of water! Tons! Not kidding!
Avoid triggers like the plague, even if it means being unsociable and a bit lonely sometimes.
s
Avoid assholes that are constantly bugging you about your decision!
repeat after me: “I don’t smoke.”
And above all, don’t ever have another one.
You will be fine.
You’re doing a good thing about asking where you can have fun without the devil weed around. I might just leave my bubble and join you, wherever that may be.
Have some faith and treat yourself well. If you falter, don’t beat yourself up. Dust yourself off and get back on that road.
You can do it!!!
Imagine sweet breath, clear breathing, food tasting good and your sensitive parts having more feeling.
Healthy Healthy Healthy.
Right on!
Jumps around like a maniac…
I don’t know if you are mocking me, being tongue in cheek, or cheering me on. But otherwise, it gave me a good laugh, which is key in any tough situation. Keep you sense of humor, and you’ve got good perspective on anything life throws at you.
Not mocking at all! Silly Namahottie!
I jump around like a maniac whenever I hear about good people making good decisions. I’ve been sleeping well lately which helps, too.
Quit smoking.
It’s cool!
Do it!
jai yo!
I’m doing my best on having a good sense of humor. Addictions are serious business, don’t kid yourself. But you can smooth off the rough edges with a little (lot of) effort and a good belly laugh once in a while.
Eat your favorite food, watch your favorite movie, take in your favorite friends and a good sunset, and above all, don’t forget to have rael fun without your habit.
Enjoy!
Money is no object!
Time is nothing! You are making a decision that will impact the rest of your life!
Stress passes; every time.
Take care!
yr my hero!
[quote=“canucktyuktuk”]
yr my hero![/quote]
See what happens when you put someone on a pestal!!! 
I fell the 'effin off :fume: :fume: :fume: Back to the beginning. Damn!
Smokers suck and you look stupid.
Oh! And lung cancer rates in America have GONE DOWN! (among men)
Altria owns Marlboro, Crystal-Lite, Miracle Whip, Kool Aid, Vegemite and other things that suck.
And smokers look dumb.
I am quitting this year. It isn’t the “devil weed,” though, canucktyuktuk. If you don’t give the substance that kind of power, it is easier to defeat. Part of a powerful will is developing strategic tools that automatically give you the upper hand.
If it ain’t the devil weed, then what is it? You give it all the power in the world when you’re hooked on it, don’t you?
At least if you give your problems the power they deserve (and more) , you know what you are up against.
Smoking is the worst to quit, in my opinion. I applaud anybody who would attempt to quit, no matter how many times.
Practice does make perfect. The end result is worth it.
Sorry you relapsed, Namacutie!
Have a happy birthday and then get back on that ol’ nag. You can’t lose. One day at a time, you can not lose.
I’m not sure what that last post means; But I can’t stop staring at the picture… (I’m not sure if I need a whippin’ or need to give one) but i wish you good luck.
You can take your addictions lightly or seriously. All of the strategic tools in the world are not going to help you if you do not make a decision to end the problem. Quirky, could you elaborate on your last post? I’m not sure I understand what you mean. I might be reading it differently than intended.
[quote=“canucktyuktuk”]If it ain’t the devil weed, then what is it? You give it all the power in the world when you’re hooked on it, don’t you?
At least if you give your problems the power they deserve (and more) , you know what you are up against.
Smoking is the worst to quit, in my opinion. I applaud anybody who would attempt to quit, no matter how many times.
Practice does make perfect. The end result is worth it.
Sorry you relapsed, Namacutie!
Have a happy birthday and then get back on that ol’ nag. You can’t lose. One day at a time, you can not lose.
I’m not sure what that last post means; But I can’t stop staring at the picture… (I’m not sure if I need a whippin’ or need to give one) but I wish you good luck.
You can take your addictions lightly or seriously. All of the strategic tools in the world are not going to help you if you do not make a decision to end the problem. Quirky, could you elaborate on your last post? I’m not sure I understand what you mean. I might be reading it differently than intended.[/quote]
I disagree with your thinking here in a way. Have you ever given up smoking?
I can’t understand why people relapse. They just aren’t thinking! And of course its always followed by regret and then they build up this idea that giving up smoking is so hard which of course makes failure more acceptable.
It just takes some simple willpower… and don’t tell yourself its difficult… for it becomes your reality.
On the other hand, sometimes people relapse because they are thinking too much. The act of quitting is usually looked upon as a continuous process and the going practice is to be focused on the process, focused on resisting. This is effective for some, but really ineffective for others. Thinking about it gets you thinking about how GOOOOOD it is and that gets you in trouble.
Maybe you have to not care. You have to be so blase towards the cigs that you can’t be bothered to ask for them at the 7-Eleven.
One guy at work said a couple weeks ago that you can’t try to quit smoking - you just quit. It’s a single act. You quit in one swoop and it’s done.